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Color of Home
Charlie
Ask pretty much anyone, and they can tell you who their first real crush was. First love leaves an impression, after all.
Is it normal that I simply never remotely got over mine? Probably not, and I’m totally willing to admit it. I’ve tried. Believe me. Somehow though, nothing I do seems to be enough to get Myles Marlow out of my head.
Maybe the reason is that Myles wasn’t just my first crush. From the day I met him until the day my family left the town of Riverside, he was my best friend and the absolute center of my world.
Did I know he could never be anything more than my friend? Yes, I did. He’s straight, after all. And I’d accepted it…mostly. But, for all my pining, I’d absolutely never imagined a world where he would be anything less. Least of all had I imagined a world completely without him.
I’d like to pretend that my move back to Riverside has nothing to do with Myles. That would be ridiculous…wouldn’t it? We haven’t spoken in ten years, and besides, he’s long gone from this small town, traveling in Southeast Asia last I’d heard (and no, you don’t need to ask how I know this).
The thing is, I’m just not sure I’m that good at lying to myself.
Myles
Riverside is the one place in the world I’d sworn I’d never set foot in again. Yeah, I can’t pretend anywhere else could ever feel as much like home as the forests and the river here, but this place is haunted by nothing but painful memories for me. And yet here I am. Back for as long as it takes me to fix up and sell the run-down mess of a house my dad left me when he unexpectedly died.
It’s been ten years since the biggest mistake of my life cost me my friendship with the one person who mattered most. Ten years spent knowing I’d never get a chance to make things right, until what I’d thought was nothing but a crappy twist of fate throws me the opportunity I hadn’t even dared to hope was possible.
Because it’s not just me that’s back in Riverside. Charlie Lancaster is here too.
Charlie’s forgiveness is worlds more than I deserve; another shot at a friendship with him my literal dream come true. I tell myself it’s all I could ever want.
So why does that keep getting harder and harder to believe?
Color of Home is a high heat, estranged childhood best friends to lovers MM romance with the sweetest, slowest of all slow burns and a guaranteed HEA. The story is low on angst, full of mutual pining, and certain to give you all the feels. It features a demisexual MC having a bi and demiromantic awakening, lingerie, makeup and lace, a dash of hurt/comfort, and a rural small-town setting. Color of Home is book 2 in the Colors of Us series, but can be read as a standalone.
Ask pretty much anyone, and they can tell you who their first real crush was. First love leaves an impression, after all.
Is it normal that I simply never remotely got over mine? Probably not, and I’m totally willing to admit it. I’ve tried. Believe me. Somehow though, nothing I do seems to be enough to get Myles Marlow out of my head.
Maybe the reason is that Myles wasn’t just my first crush. From the day I met him until the day my family left the town of Riverside, he was my best friend and the absolute center of my world.
Did I know he could never be anything more than my friend? Yes, I did. He’s straight, after all. And I’d accepted it…mostly. But, for all my pining, I’d absolutely never imagined a world where he would be anything less. Least of all had I imagined a world completely without him.
I’d like to pretend that my move back to Riverside has nothing to do with Myles. That would be ridiculous…wouldn’t it? We haven’t spoken in ten years, and besides, he’s long gone from this small town, traveling in Southeast Asia last I’d heard (and no, you don’t need to ask how I know this).
The thing is, I’m just not sure I’m that good at lying to myself.
Myles
Riverside is the one place in the world I’d sworn I’d never set foot in again. Yeah, I can’t pretend anywhere else could ever feel as much like home as the forests and the river here, but this place is haunted by nothing but painful memories for me. And yet here I am. Back for as long as it takes me to fix up and sell the run-down mess of a house my dad left me when he unexpectedly died.
It’s been ten years since the biggest mistake of my life cost me my friendship with the one person who mattered most. Ten years spent knowing I’d never get a chance to make things right, until what I’d thought was nothing but a crappy twist of fate throws me the opportunity I hadn’t even dared to hope was possible.
Because it’s not just me that’s back in Riverside. Charlie Lancaster is here too.
Charlie’s forgiveness is worlds more than I deserve; another shot at a friendship with him my literal dream come true. I tell myself it’s all I could ever want.
So why does that keep getting harder and harder to believe?
Color of Home is a high heat, estranged childhood best friends to lovers MM romance with the sweetest, slowest of all slow burns and a guaranteed HEA. The story is low on angst, full of mutual pining, and certain to give you all the feels. It features a demisexual MC having a bi and demiromantic awakening, lingerie, makeup and lace, a dash of hurt/comfort, and a rural small-town setting. Color of Home is book 2 in the Colors of Us series, but can be read as a standalone.
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2026
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March 25, 2026
Çok tatlılardı 🥹
March 12, 2026
“I’ve always loved you. You’re my person, Charlie, and I needed you with me, even if it was only in my own head.”
How do you put into words something that has taken your whole heart? Because that is exactly what this book has done. The scenery, the sweetness, the inevitability, and the most perfect slow burn to have ever burned!
I had the extreme honor of alpha-reading and then beta-reading Lucia Laurence’s Color of Home. I got to watch as Charlie and Myles’ story took form, and I got to fall in love with them in real time as Lucia brought them to life. It is one of the greatest privileges I’ve ever had, and this book is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read.
“I’ve always loved you.” Fresh tears well in my eyes because, ohmigod, being able to say those words aloud is everything I’ve ever wanted. “I never stopped, not for a single day. There’s no world where I couldn’t love you.”
I absolutely swooned for the deep-rooted soulmate bond that intertwined between these two friends, turned estranged, turned reunited friends, and eventual lovers.
Set in the Olympic Peninsula, full of deep green forests, lakes, and mountains, this book is full of swoony moments, from wood-chopping to beautiful hikes to stargazing. I loved the deep connection between the characters and the nature around them; it was more than a backdrop, but a part of their story and how they progressed. It was peaceful, imperfect, and beautiful, just like Charlie and Myles.
It took less than a chapter to fall in love with Charlie, and not much longer after that for me to fall for Myles. Charlie immediately struck out to me as someone I would love to know, a friend that I wish I’d had. He radiates an innate kindness, and he’s definitely the kind of person I would wish the world for.
Dressing like this for him and being able to see how much he loves it makes me feel impossibly sexy and so seen and validated, it makes me dizzy.
I loved his sassiness, his playfulness, and his sense of style. I loved how later in the book when he started playing with lace, not only did I get all excited about it because I love men in lace, BUT I loved how Myles was SO into it EVERY time. I loved watching Myles fall to pieces over Charlie once they reached that point in their relationship, and I loved watching Charlie’s confidence bloom under Myles’ enthusiasm.
And Myles wrapped himself around my heart. Equally as kind as Charlie, however, slightly more inept, a step behind, and that step behind made him pay a steeper price than he should have ever had to pay, a price that he blames himself for as much as he blames his father, who took advantage of his selfless heart. I spent a good chunk of this book torn between wanting to smack him upside the head or hug him until he stopped thinking bad things about himself. His journey was not easy, and his confusion was understandable. The little pieces of understanding himself came to him in little chunks at a time.
I love how Lucia wrote his character to show that just because he was both demiromantic and demisexual, it didn’t mean both of those attractions were linear, or even obvious. That one did not necessarily immediately follow the other, and while he was always both, the different types of attractions hit him at different times, which confused him further. The slow grasping as the pieces slowly came together, and the following understanding was amazingly real to me. She didn’t make 1 + 2 = 3 right away; she made his emotions difficult to navigate, confusing to him, which made him so much more real and relatable to me. I loved the care and sensitivity she showed his character while writing him, and showing how attractions are a personal experience and not a universal one.
"Unlike what I’d thought when I was a mixed-up kid with no idea what the hell was going on with me, I know now that it never made me broken. I’d honestly thought I’d fully embraced it (or what I thought it was, back when I’d been under the impression that it was demisexual and aro) until my realization of my feelings for Charlie had cranked up that already crippling guilt over how I’d cut him out of my life."
Of course, Charlie was there while Myles slowly pieced things together. Not only about his sexuality, but also through the harsher traumas he’d lived throughout his life. Charlie patiently, consistently, and wholeheartedly whispered kind words and sweet affirmations into his ears until Myles started to believe in himself more.
I loved the deep connections. The inevitability of them. The slow burn that was so perfect. I was never impatient for the story to speed up; every step was necessary, and amazing, and beautiful, and the burn was so perfect! I loved how they just slowly fell into place, one swoony step at a time, leading to the big ah-ha moment, and then figuring out the final steps. It was a journey because even though it took time to get on the same page, it was still obvious that they were reading the same book the whole time.
They knew each other on a level deeper than most lovers, and that was long before they became lovers. They understood each other and stood up for each other when the need arose. They always seemed to understand what the other needed and when they needed it, and always rose to the occasion. It wasn’t just about romance; it was a deep-rooted love that bound them in every stage of their lives, even during the years of their estrangement; they were inevitably bound.
“Charlie’s eyes are the color of home.”
I can’t really explain all the ways I loved this book, but Charlie’s sweetness, feeling Myles turmoil, and understanding his confusion, and all the building blocks that created every step of their journey, is something that just grabbed hold of my whole heart and wouldn’t let go. This entire book was like a warm hug from beginning to end, with a few tears shed along the way. The title is so completely fitting because they were always each other’s home. This is easily one of my favorite books ever! Just absolutely loved EVERYTHING about it!
How do you put into words something that has taken your whole heart? Because that is exactly what this book has done. The scenery, the sweetness, the inevitability, and the most perfect slow burn to have ever burned!
I had the extreme honor of alpha-reading and then beta-reading Lucia Laurence’s Color of Home. I got to watch as Charlie and Myles’ story took form, and I got to fall in love with them in real time as Lucia brought them to life. It is one of the greatest privileges I’ve ever had, and this book is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read.
“I’ve always loved you.” Fresh tears well in my eyes because, ohmigod, being able to say those words aloud is everything I’ve ever wanted. “I never stopped, not for a single day. There’s no world where I couldn’t love you.”
I absolutely swooned for the deep-rooted soulmate bond that intertwined between these two friends, turned estranged, turned reunited friends, and eventual lovers.
Set in the Olympic Peninsula, full of deep green forests, lakes, and mountains, this book is full of swoony moments, from wood-chopping to beautiful hikes to stargazing. I loved the deep connection between the characters and the nature around them; it was more than a backdrop, but a part of their story and how they progressed. It was peaceful, imperfect, and beautiful, just like Charlie and Myles.
It took less than a chapter to fall in love with Charlie, and not much longer after that for me to fall for Myles. Charlie immediately struck out to me as someone I would love to know, a friend that I wish I’d had. He radiates an innate kindness, and he’s definitely the kind of person I would wish the world for.
Dressing like this for him and being able to see how much he loves it makes me feel impossibly sexy and so seen and validated, it makes me dizzy.
I loved his sassiness, his playfulness, and his sense of style. I loved how later in the book when he started playing with lace, not only did I get all excited about it because I love men in lace, BUT I loved how Myles was SO into it EVERY time. I loved watching Myles fall to pieces over Charlie once they reached that point in their relationship, and I loved watching Charlie’s confidence bloom under Myles’ enthusiasm.
And Myles wrapped himself around my heart. Equally as kind as Charlie, however, slightly more inept, a step behind, and that step behind made him pay a steeper price than he should have ever had to pay, a price that he blames himself for as much as he blames his father, who took advantage of his selfless heart. I spent a good chunk of this book torn between wanting to smack him upside the head or hug him until he stopped thinking bad things about himself. His journey was not easy, and his confusion was understandable. The little pieces of understanding himself came to him in little chunks at a time.
I love how Lucia wrote his character to show that just because he was both demiromantic and demisexual, it didn’t mean both of those attractions were linear, or even obvious. That one did not necessarily immediately follow the other, and while he was always both, the different types of attractions hit him at different times, which confused him further. The slow grasping as the pieces slowly came together, and the following understanding was amazingly real to me. She didn’t make 1 + 2 = 3 right away; she made his emotions difficult to navigate, confusing to him, which made him so much more real and relatable to me. I loved the care and sensitivity she showed his character while writing him, and showing how attractions are a personal experience and not a universal one.
"Unlike what I’d thought when I was a mixed-up kid with no idea what the hell was going on with me, I know now that it never made me broken. I’d honestly thought I’d fully embraced it (or what I thought it was, back when I’d been under the impression that it was demisexual and aro) until my realization of my feelings for Charlie had cranked up that already crippling guilt over how I’d cut him out of my life."
Of course, Charlie was there while Myles slowly pieced things together. Not only about his sexuality, but also through the harsher traumas he’d lived throughout his life. Charlie patiently, consistently, and wholeheartedly whispered kind words and sweet affirmations into his ears until Myles started to believe in himself more.
I loved the deep connections. The inevitability of them. The slow burn that was so perfect. I was never impatient for the story to speed up; every step was necessary, and amazing, and beautiful, and the burn was so perfect! I loved how they just slowly fell into place, one swoony step at a time, leading to the big ah-ha moment, and then figuring out the final steps. It was a journey because even though it took time to get on the same page, it was still obvious that they were reading the same book the whole time.
They knew each other on a level deeper than most lovers, and that was long before they became lovers. They understood each other and stood up for each other when the need arose. They always seemed to understand what the other needed and when they needed it, and always rose to the occasion. It wasn’t just about romance; it was a deep-rooted love that bound them in every stage of their lives, even during the years of their estrangement; they were inevitably bound.
“Charlie’s eyes are the color of home.”
I can’t really explain all the ways I loved this book, but Charlie’s sweetness, feeling Myles turmoil, and understanding his confusion, and all the building blocks that created every step of their journey, is something that just grabbed hold of my whole heart and wouldn’t let go. This entire book was like a warm hug from beginning to end, with a few tears shed along the way. The title is so completely fitting because they were always each other’s home. This is easily one of my favorite books ever! Just absolutely loved EVERYTHING about it!
April 12, 2026
Review coming soon
March 24, 2026
It was okay. Far too many thoughts in parentheses at the start to handle, and every time Charlie said or thought ohmigod, he sounded 13 years old so it was a little off putting. Like the first book, it was repetitive in phrases and feelings and it could’ve been shorter.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
4*
I enjoyed this sweet, slow burn love story. Some of the writing drove me to distraction, but more about that later. This is a very sweet book, and though there’s angst, even that feels sweet. Charlie and Myles are kind and considerate and worry about doing the right thing for the other. It feels like that’s actually the source of most of the angst—trying to do the right thing, but getting it wrong.
I appreciate that the book spends quality time with Myles as he navigates confusing feelings about asexuality, aromanticism, and internalized queer shame. His confusion about his sexuality reaches a boiling point during a lengthy scene that is so much fun to read. I love moments of queer discovery, especially when they’re done as well as this one. After that scene, Myles talks out his confusion two different times, and I love that too. Of all things the book spends time on, this is where it’s most merited. I’m so glad this process was taken slowly and carefully. I valued the gentleness and exploration.
On a funny note, I love when first kisses / experiences are comically delayed by constant interruptions. I don’t know why I’m broken like that, but it always tickles me into laughter. This book has a more serious interruption, but the effect sharpens the longing and adds desperate comedy into the followup scenes.
Most of the intimacy scenes are taken slowly, which works well for these MCs. The intensity and desire are high, but Charlie and Myles talk and check in with each other. They explore sensations. All along, Myles is learning and trying to replicate his new experiences. The fact that both are vers brings the learning experience full circle. Both want to try and do all the things with a new partner. They are open, caring, and emotional in every scene. They talk about their fantasies and desires. They lavish each other with praise. These intimacy scenes are beautiful and emotionally intense. They build real connection and love.
Another highlight from the book is quality time spent with Charlie’s family and close friends, where the inclusion of Myles has a profound effect on him. It’s a beautiful series of moments and reminded me so much of experiences in my own childhood where a friend’s parents were quietly accepting and encouraging of me.
The scene is possibly the best moment in the story. There are many beautiful scenes, but this one works to heal that original sin between the MCs. And Myles uses the moment to ask for what he wants, earnestly, vulnerably, and hopefully. Charlie melts on contact and I can’t blame him. 😂 That scene will stay with me. ❤️🔥
Now some gripes:
When I started reading the book, I was a bit frustrated and didn't know why. Was I not paying enough attention? Was I reading too fast? I had to re-read very long sentences on many pages. At times, the style of writing feels like stream of consciousness with run-on sentences. It’s like we’re seeing every cross-thought from the characters’ minds all strung together with commas and parentheses. I won’t say that’s every page, but certainly many pages. And at 502 pages, the book is long. This would be a stronger book with more direct writing and less tangential material wandering in mid-sentence and mid-scene. It’s one thing to write an ADHD character as their thoughts scatter, or to write an anxious character as they worry, but this feels like meandering regardless of which character POV we’re in.
An example from Charlie’s POV on p. 195:
It takes at least two reads to comprehend that sentence, but it doesn't need to be like that. There are many similar sentences in the book.
Last gripe: I never want to see the expression “ohmigod” ever again in my life. Search tells me it appears 145 times. I didn’t search other spelling variations, but they exist. It feels like every time Charlie talks, he uses that expression. It’s too much. Charlie needs variation and readers need variation.
4*
I enjoyed this sweet, slow burn love story. Some of the writing drove me to distraction, but more about that later. This is a very sweet book, and though there’s angst, even that feels sweet. Charlie and Myles are kind and considerate and worry about doing the right thing for the other. It feels like that’s actually the source of most of the angst—trying to do the right thing, but getting it wrong.
I appreciate that the book spends quality time with Myles as he navigates confusing feelings about asexuality, aromanticism, and internalized queer shame. His confusion about his sexuality reaches a boiling point during a lengthy scene that is so much fun to read. I love moments of queer discovery, especially when they’re done as well as this one. After that scene, Myles talks out his confusion two different times, and I love that too. Of all things the book spends time on, this is where it’s most merited. I’m so glad this process was taken slowly and carefully. I valued the gentleness and exploration.
On a funny note, I love when first kisses / experiences are comically delayed by constant interruptions. I don’t know why I’m broken like that, but it always tickles me into laughter. This book has a more serious interruption, but the effect sharpens the longing and adds desperate comedy into the followup scenes.
Most of the intimacy scenes are taken slowly, which works well for these MCs. The intensity and desire are high, but Charlie and Myles talk and check in with each other. They explore sensations. All along, Myles is learning and trying to replicate his new experiences. The fact that both are vers brings the learning experience full circle. Both want to try and do all the things with a new partner. They are open, caring, and emotional in every scene. They talk about their fantasies and desires. They lavish each other with praise. These intimacy scenes are beautiful and emotionally intense. They build real connection and love.
Another highlight from the book is quality time spent with Charlie’s family and close friends, where the inclusion of Myles has a profound effect on him. It’s a beautiful series of moments and reminded me so much of experiences in my own childhood where a friend’s parents were quietly accepting and encouraging of me.
The scene is possibly the best moment in the story. There are many beautiful scenes, but this one works to heal that original sin between the MCs. And Myles uses the moment to ask for what he wants, earnestly, vulnerably, and hopefully. Charlie melts on contact and I can’t blame him. 😂 That scene will stay with me. ❤️🔥
Now some gripes:
When I started reading the book, I was a bit frustrated and didn't know why. Was I not paying enough attention? Was I reading too fast? I had to re-read very long sentences on many pages. At times, the style of writing feels like stream of consciousness with run-on sentences. It’s like we’re seeing every cross-thought from the characters’ minds all strung together with commas and parentheses. I won’t say that’s every page, but certainly many pages. And at 502 pages, the book is long. This would be a stronger book with more direct writing and less tangential material wandering in mid-sentence and mid-scene. It’s one thing to write an ADHD character as their thoughts scatter, or to write an anxious character as they worry, but this feels like meandering regardless of which character POV we’re in.
An example from Charlie’s POV on p. 195:
"I can’t deny though that when, instead of falling in with the tumble of other boys jumping and tussling as they vied for the football one of them had pulled out of his backpack before bolting out the door, Myles had methodically gathered up that same notebook he’d been hunched over this morning, along with a pencil and eraser, before quietly slipping out the classroom door, I’d felt yet another flicker of happiness."
It takes at least two reads to comprehend that sentence, but it doesn't need to be like that. There are many similar sentences in the book.
Last gripe: I never want to see the expression “ohmigod” ever again in my life. Search tells me it appears 145 times. I didn’t search other spelling variations, but they exist. It feels like every time Charlie talks, he uses that expression. It’s too much. Charlie needs variation and readers need variation.
April 15, 2026
Charlie falls in love when he is a teenager with his straight best friend Myles. He's resigned himself to Myles never feeling more than that for him, and that's fine. He still wants him in his life, but when Charlie's family moves away Myles ghosts him completely never answering his calls despite his promises that they would stay friends.
Myles has never felt like enough for his dad, a man who had Myles when he was young himself and who feels like because of that he never got to realize his dreams of being a professional athlete. He wants Myles to fulfill them for him. Myles would rather hang out with Charlie. He's told his dad Charlie is an athlete, the kind of stereotypical alpha male his dad wants Myles himself to be. A lie thats discovered when Charlie drops by Myles's house to leave him a goodbye present and meets his dad for the first time. When Myles gets home his dad goes in on him for being friends with a guy like that (a small weak looking boy who Myles's dad has assumed is gay). He also manipulatively tells him that it's clear Charlie has feelings for him and if he doesn't return them it's terrible to be "leading him on" the way he is. Despite knowing his dad is being manipulative and doesn't actually give a crap about Charlie's feelings he does think his dad maybe has a point and since he never wants to do anything to hurt Charlie that's why he ghosts him. (It's easy to read this and think you'll hate Myles's character, but he was a teenager when he made this choice and he had a lot of other things going on in his mind at the time.)
Neither of them have been back to the town they met in for over a decade when they both independently decide to take jobs at the school there, putting them back in each other's lives.
I really enjoyed the story in this book. It was really nice to get both the flashbacks of their intense younger friendship and their careful new relationship as adults. It was thrilling to be inside Myles's head as he tried to navigate the feelings he had for his best friend. He's demi ace/demi romantic but has spent most of his life thinking he wasn't ever sexually attracted to men, and that he was completely aromantic. Seeing him untangle his confusing thoughts when he was suddenly thinking things about his male best friend being pretty and getting fixated on parts of his body was so relatable to my struggles when I realized I was a lesbian. And the slow realization that he's always loved him romantically and that's why his feelings for Charlie have always been much deeper than anything else he's ever experienced was so satisfying as well.
I also appreciated how slow and careful the sex scenes were. It was thrilling to see them taking it slow and letting themselves really experience every single new sensation and feeling that they unearthed in each other.
I did as a couple of other people in the reviews have said, find the over usage of "ohmigod" to be a little grating, and did have a little trouble following some of the longer sentences. I do think this book could have done with a little more editing, but the story and the characters made up for it for me.
Tropes:
🏘️ second chance romance
🏘️ childhood best friends to lovers
🏘️ small town
🏘️ only one bed
🏘️ teachers
Myles has never felt like enough for his dad, a man who had Myles when he was young himself and who feels like because of that he never got to realize his dreams of being a professional athlete. He wants Myles to fulfill them for him. Myles would rather hang out with Charlie. He's told his dad Charlie is an athlete, the kind of stereotypical alpha male his dad wants Myles himself to be. A lie thats discovered when Charlie drops by Myles's house to leave him a goodbye present and meets his dad for the first time. When Myles gets home his dad goes in on him for being friends with a guy like that (a small weak looking boy who Myles's dad has assumed is gay). He also manipulatively tells him that it's clear Charlie has feelings for him and if he doesn't return them it's terrible to be "leading him on" the way he is. Despite knowing his dad is being manipulative and doesn't actually give a crap about Charlie's feelings he does think his dad maybe has a point and since he never wants to do anything to hurt Charlie that's why he ghosts him. (It's easy to read this and think you'll hate Myles's character, but he was a teenager when he made this choice and he had a lot of other things going on in his mind at the time.)
Neither of them have been back to the town they met in for over a decade when they both independently decide to take jobs at the school there, putting them back in each other's lives.
I really enjoyed the story in this book. It was really nice to get both the flashbacks of their intense younger friendship and their careful new relationship as adults. It was thrilling to be inside Myles's head as he tried to navigate the feelings he had for his best friend. He's demi ace/demi romantic but has spent most of his life thinking he wasn't ever sexually attracted to men, and that he was completely aromantic. Seeing him untangle his confusing thoughts when he was suddenly thinking things about his male best friend being pretty and getting fixated on parts of his body was so relatable to my struggles when I realized I was a lesbian. And the slow realization that he's always loved him romantically and that's why his feelings for Charlie have always been much deeper than anything else he's ever experienced was so satisfying as well.
I also appreciated how slow and careful the sex scenes were. It was thrilling to see them taking it slow and letting themselves really experience every single new sensation and feeling that they unearthed in each other.
I did as a couple of other people in the reviews have said, find the over usage of "ohmigod" to be a little grating, and did have a little trouble following some of the longer sentences. I do think this book could have done with a little more editing, but the story and the characters made up for it for me.
Tropes:
🏘️ second chance romance
🏘️ childhood best friends to lovers
🏘️ small town
🏘️ only one bed
🏘️ teachers
April 3, 2026
DNF @ 38%
Notes I took as I was reading:
It was interesting reading about Myles' dad and how he was clearly homophobic but also characterized to have cared about Myles on some level. It was also really interesting how the author wrote the situation that separated Charlie and Myles to not be solely on Myles' dad. Instead of going in 100% on "my son will not hang out with a gay slur" I really liked how the story put responsibility on Myles' side as well because his dad was presenting him with a choice. Either "own up to Charlie's feelings and admit that you're gay too" or "let Charlie go because he's keeping him on the hook". Yeah, it's a false dilemma because those weren't the only two options but they might as well have been for Myles since he was panicking and scared.
The "omigod" thing got a little annoying ngl. It made Charlie sound like a preteen every time it showed up on page.
The story was just way too padded with internal monologues and useless scenes. I love me a slow burn, but this book falls into the trap of thinking that slow burn = it takes a long time for the MCs to change their dynamic which is incorrect in my eyes. Every romance needs the relationship dynamic to constantly move forward, slow burns just have more set backs and hurdles that get in the way of the actual relationship starting than regular romances, but it doesn't mean that nothing changes. Good slow burns keep the relationship moving forward with every scene leading to some meaningful change in the dynamic between the MCs. This book not only has slow pacing because of the excessive internal monolgues, but it also fails to meaningfully change things Charlie and Myles in several chapters. Take them both getting sick for instance, what exactly changed between Charlie and Myles after the chapters when Charlie got sick followed by Myles getting sick? Realistically nothing. They were already well on the way to rekindling their friendship with their regular dinners and movie watching, so those chapters added nothing meaningful that hadn't already been shown. Yeah, it was sweet how they both wanted to take care of each other but we already knew that when Myles helped Charlie out with the firewood (along with Myles internally monolguing that he wanted to take care of Charlie) and we'd been knowing that Charlie was holding a torch out for Myles since the beginning so those scenes were just indulgent useless padding. The hiking scene was my breaking point because it was too little, too late. Yeah, there was progression there since Myles acknowledged he wasn't straight and was attracted to Charlie BUT it took way too long and had way too many internal monolgues for so little change. I would've stayed if they'd had their first kiss there but they didn't and the next chapter started with Charlie panicking to Gemma (for the millionth time) and I no longer had the patience to continue for another 300 pages.
TL;DR: I don't think this author is for me. The two books I've read from them both suffer from being extremely long, slow and were both filled with scenes that just feel like filler episodes in a long series. 2 stars.
Notes I took as I was reading:
It was interesting reading about Myles' dad and how he was clearly homophobic but also characterized to have cared about Myles on some level. It was also really interesting how the author wrote the situation that separated Charlie and Myles to not be solely on Myles' dad. Instead of going in 100% on "my son will not hang out with a gay slur" I really liked how the story put responsibility on Myles' side as well because his dad was presenting him with a choice. Either "own up to Charlie's feelings and admit that you're gay too" or "let Charlie go because he's keeping him on the hook". Yeah, it's a false dilemma because those weren't the only two options but they might as well have been for Myles since he was panicking and scared.
The "omigod" thing got a little annoying ngl. It made Charlie sound like a preteen every time it showed up on page.
The story was just way too padded with internal monologues and useless scenes. I love me a slow burn, but this book falls into the trap of thinking that slow burn = it takes a long time for the MCs to change their dynamic which is incorrect in my eyes. Every romance needs the relationship dynamic to constantly move forward, slow burns just have more set backs and hurdles that get in the way of the actual relationship starting than regular romances, but it doesn't mean that nothing changes. Good slow burns keep the relationship moving forward with every scene leading to some meaningful change in the dynamic between the MCs. This book not only has slow pacing because of the excessive internal monolgues, but it also fails to meaningfully change things Charlie and Myles in several chapters. Take them both getting sick for instance, what exactly changed between Charlie and Myles after the chapters when Charlie got sick followed by Myles getting sick? Realistically nothing. They were already well on the way to rekindling their friendship with their regular dinners and movie watching, so those chapters added nothing meaningful that hadn't already been shown. Yeah, it was sweet how they both wanted to take care of each other but we already knew that when Myles helped Charlie out with the firewood (along with Myles internally monolguing that he wanted to take care of Charlie) and we'd been knowing that Charlie was holding a torch out for Myles since the beginning so those scenes were just indulgent useless padding. The hiking scene was my breaking point because it was too little, too late. Yeah, there was progression there since Myles acknowledged he wasn't straight and was attracted to Charlie BUT it took way too long and had way too many internal monolgues for so little change. I would've stayed if they'd had their first kiss there but they didn't and the next chapter started with Charlie panicking to Gemma (for the millionth time) and I no longer had the patience to continue for another 300 pages.
TL;DR: I don't think this author is for me. The two books I've read from them both suffer from being extremely long, slow and were both filled with scenes that just feel like filler episodes in a long series. 2 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ARC Review✨
💫 Color of Home by Lucia Laurence 💫
“Charlie’s eyes are the color of home.”
OHMIGOD! YALL GET YOUR TISSUES OUT FOR THIS ONE!! 🤧
im a sucker for best friends to lovers romance, but add in CHILDHOOD best friends and im over here swooning.
now, as with all great love stories, Myles and Charlie’s HEA doesn’t necessarily come easy. or fast. yeah, this is a slowwww burn, but when it starts heating up, oh baby does it heat UPPP! 🔥
okay okay, so let me give a little gist of the story (in super simple terms because yall are going to have to actually READ this and see the descriptive goodness the author put into it to understand) so you can maybe see why im rating this SIX out of five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Charlie and Myles are besties. Charlies GONE for this guy. Charlie has to move away. Myles is sad. Charlie is sad. everyone’s sad except Myles’ dad who is a no good, low life, homophobic- lemme stop before i get heated again. whew. anywayyyysss 👀. Myles’ dad says some not so nice things that gets Myles to rethink his friendship with Charlie. they go YEARS without speaking until *fast forward ⏩* they run into each other back in Riverside (where it all began)!!
things aren’t great at first but slowly, (like i said, slow burn, baby) they begin opening up to each other again and emotions go wild (mine AND the characters hehe)
on a serious note, the way that the author shows us how Myles processes his feelings about his sexuality and his past trauma really got me. Lucia really made sure to include how confusing and sometimes scary it can be to learn and explore new things about yourself, which made the story so much more realistic for me. I also enjoyed how descriptive the author was not just during spicy scenes but throughout the entire book! it really made you feel like you were right there and added depth to the story.
some tidbits:
⭐️ childhood besties to lovers
⭐️ small town romance
⭐️ demi rep 🖤🩶🤍💜
⭐️ SO. MUCH. PINING.
⭐️ slow burn to INFERNO 🔥
⭐️ bi awakening
⭐️ masc verse bottom x femme verse top
⭐️ a sweet old cat named Cyril 🥺
⭐️ ‘blobfish douchenoggin’ may become a new regular insult THANKS GEMMA
⭐️ only one bed 🛏️
⭐️ “show me what to do”
⭐️ some bitch named Janice
⭐️ spicy 🌶️ (MMC in lingerie, anyone?)
💫 Color of Home by Lucia Laurence 💫
“Charlie’s eyes are the color of home.”
OHMIGOD! YALL GET YOUR TISSUES OUT FOR THIS ONE!! 🤧
im a sucker for best friends to lovers romance, but add in CHILDHOOD best friends and im over here swooning.
now, as with all great love stories, Myles and Charlie’s HEA doesn’t necessarily come easy. or fast. yeah, this is a slowwww burn, but when it starts heating up, oh baby does it heat UPPP! 🔥
okay okay, so let me give a little gist of the story (in super simple terms because yall are going to have to actually READ this and see the descriptive goodness the author put into it to understand) so you can maybe see why im rating this SIX out of five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Charlie and Myles are besties. Charlies GONE for this guy. Charlie has to move away. Myles is sad. Charlie is sad. everyone’s sad except Myles’ dad who is a no good, low life, homophobic- lemme stop before i get heated again. whew. anywayyyysss 👀. Myles’ dad says some not so nice things that gets Myles to rethink his friendship with Charlie. they go YEARS without speaking until *fast forward ⏩* they run into each other back in Riverside (where it all began)!!
things aren’t great at first but slowly, (like i said, slow burn, baby) they begin opening up to each other again and emotions go wild (mine AND the characters hehe)
on a serious note, the way that the author shows us how Myles processes his feelings about his sexuality and his past trauma really got me. Lucia really made sure to include how confusing and sometimes scary it can be to learn and explore new things about yourself, which made the story so much more realistic for me. I also enjoyed how descriptive the author was not just during spicy scenes but throughout the entire book! it really made you feel like you were right there and added depth to the story.
some tidbits:
⭐️ childhood besties to lovers
⭐️ small town romance
⭐️ demi rep 🖤🩶🤍💜
⭐️ SO. MUCH. PINING.
⭐️ slow burn to INFERNO 🔥
⭐️ bi awakening
⭐️ masc verse bottom x femme verse top
⭐️ a sweet old cat named Cyril 🥺
⭐️ ‘blobfish douchenoggin’ may become a new regular insult THANKS GEMMA
⭐️ only one bed 🛏️
⭐️ “show me what to do”
⭐️ some bitch named Janice
⭐️ spicy 🌶️ (MMC in lingerie, anyone?)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Color of Home by Lucia Laurence is the second book in the Colors of Us series, and honestly, it completely wrecked me in the best way.
Charlie and Myles were close as teenagers until everything fell apart. Charlie left town, and Myles, influenced by his father’s beliefs, pushed him away and eventually ghosted him. What Myles didn’t know was that Charlie had already fallen in love with him. Years later they both return to their hometown at the same time. Charlie comes back to teach at the high school, while Myles returns after his father’s death to fix up the house and sell it. When they see each other again, it’s clear that the connection between them never really disappeared. Charlie is still deeply in love, and Myles is carrying a lot of guilt for how things ended.
This story is a slow burn second chance romance that really leans into the emotional journey of both characters. They have to relearn each other, talk through their past, and figure out who they are now after so many years apart. I loved that the book took the time to let Myles grow and understand himself before anything fully developed between them. Their conversations and the way they slowly rebuild trust felt very real and meaningful.
The glimpses into their past were also really powerful. Seeing those earlier moments helped explain how Myles became the person he was and how different his worldview was back then compared to Charlie’s.
Emotionally, this book hit hard. Charlie’s love for Myles is unwavering, even after everything that happened, and the way they care for each other now is incredibly tender. Their connection feels deep and instinctive, like they’ve always belonged in each other’s lives. The slow burn tension between them was intense, and when their relationship finally shifts into something more, it feels completely earned.
Overall this was a beautifully emotional second chance romance about forgiveness, growth, and finding your way back to the person who always felt like home. I loved it and I’m really excited to see what comes next in the series.
Charlie and Myles were close as teenagers until everything fell apart. Charlie left town, and Myles, influenced by his father’s beliefs, pushed him away and eventually ghosted him. What Myles didn’t know was that Charlie had already fallen in love with him. Years later they both return to their hometown at the same time. Charlie comes back to teach at the high school, while Myles returns after his father’s death to fix up the house and sell it. When they see each other again, it’s clear that the connection between them never really disappeared. Charlie is still deeply in love, and Myles is carrying a lot of guilt for how things ended.
This story is a slow burn second chance romance that really leans into the emotional journey of both characters. They have to relearn each other, talk through their past, and figure out who they are now after so many years apart. I loved that the book took the time to let Myles grow and understand himself before anything fully developed between them. Their conversations and the way they slowly rebuild trust felt very real and meaningful.
The glimpses into their past were also really powerful. Seeing those earlier moments helped explain how Myles became the person he was and how different his worldview was back then compared to Charlie’s.
Emotionally, this book hit hard. Charlie’s love for Myles is unwavering, even after everything that happened, and the way they care for each other now is incredibly tender. Their connection feels deep and instinctive, like they’ve always belonged in each other’s lives. The slow burn tension between them was intense, and when their relationship finally shifts into something more, it feels completely earned.
Overall this was a beautifully emotional second chance romance about forgiveness, growth, and finding your way back to the person who always felt like home. I loved it and I’m really excited to see what comes next in the series.
March 12, 2026
I had the pleasure, and the joy, of first Alpha reading this book, then Beta reading it, AND also being able to edit it as well, so I have a deeper connection with these two then with my usual ARC reads. I saw their story come to live, I saw them being created, turning into the version of them others are being introduced to now. So, for that reason alone they are very special to me. Seeing everyone reading this book and loving these two as much as Lucia and I do has been SO amazing!!
While I do love this book because I saw it come together, I also love it because the story is just really lovely! The characters, the writing, the dialogue, everything is just exceptional! I loved these two SO much, I enjoyed reading every moment that occurred between them. From the awkward first moments after meeting again, to chopping wood together, and the hike in the woods that was the irrevocable moment that Myles started thinking about what Charlie means to him. All of those special moments combined together were what made Charlie and Myles such a joy to read about.
I really loved and appreciated the demi rep with Myles's character. I thought that was written in a beautiful and respectful way. Lucia didn't have that be the sum of Myles's character but she made sure to let the readers, and Charlie know, that his realization of being Demi, is a part of who he is. And I thought that was really well done. All in all, this story is going to make you feel things, good things, along with happy emotions. And I think that's what the world, and this community, really needs right now. I think Lucia did an excellent job with combining real world elements, with fiction, to create a story you can relate to but also one you can escape into and not have to think about what's going on in the world currently.
What's going on in the world IS important, but it's also important to have an escape too, and Lucia provided that. If you're looking for a MM romance that's going to leave you feeling good with a smile on your face, you HAVE to give Color of Home a chance! You won't regret it!
While I do love this book because I saw it come together, I also love it because the story is just really lovely! The characters, the writing, the dialogue, everything is just exceptional! I loved these two SO much, I enjoyed reading every moment that occurred between them. From the awkward first moments after meeting again, to chopping wood together, and the hike in the woods that was the irrevocable moment that Myles started thinking about what Charlie means to him. All of those special moments combined together were what made Charlie and Myles such a joy to read about.
I really loved and appreciated the demi rep with Myles's character. I thought that was written in a beautiful and respectful way. Lucia didn't have that be the sum of Myles's character but she made sure to let the readers, and Charlie know, that his realization of being Demi, is a part of who he is. And I thought that was really well done. All in all, this story is going to make you feel things, good things, along with happy emotions. And I think that's what the world, and this community, really needs right now. I think Lucia did an excellent job with combining real world elements, with fiction, to create a story you can relate to but also one you can escape into and not have to think about what's going on in the world currently.
What's going on in the world IS important, but it's also important to have an escape too, and Lucia provided that. If you're looking for a MM romance that's going to leave you feeling good with a smile on your face, you HAVE to give Color of Home a chance! You won't regret it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Look, do I entirely buy into pining over someone you haven't seen in ten years? Not really. Do I believe you can find true love between the ages of 11 and 15? I find it hard to believe. I had a crush on my best friend at 15 too, but I definitely got over it by 25. That said, I'm a hopeless romantic at heart, so I’m more than willing to suspend my disbelief for a good story and these two are absolutely worth it.
The dynamic between the leads is 110% adorable. Miles is a drool-worthy, big muscle daddy, but he is brutally unaware. His inability to read a room is crazy, which just makes him cuter. Charlie is an adorkable twink who spends a good amount of time in tights, which definitely leaves the imagination focused exactly where it should be regarding his package snugly hanging there. Their banter is top-tier (you had me at "assface douchnoggin"), and I love how they relentlessly tease each other.
If you like slow burns, strap in. I’m talking about feeling like you’re locked in a chastity belt for 60% of the book. There is so much "sexiest sex hair" with zero actual sex. I spent half the time screaming at the pages for them to just bang already.
But when the heat finally hits? It is dialed straight to 100.
After all that narrative edging, the release is a massive payoff. The highly descriptive spicy scenes feel incredibly well-deserved, and most importantly, it feels authentic to actual men.
We get fantastic frotting representation (which is incredibly hot, low-maintenance, and realistic). We get a muscle bottom, which is always a huge win. And thank god, there is absolutely no spontaneous anal without douching first. The author clearly did the research to make the mechanics legit.
I do have a few minor gripes. Logistically, cum straight down the drain just isn't practical. Also, the word "panty" was used, which immediately gave me SpongeBob Panty Raid flashbacks not my favorite, but just a personal preference. And while we love consent kings, they do spend almost too much time checking in on each other during the act.
Ultimately, if you can survive the agonizingly fluffy wait to get there, this is a massive feel-good story with a highly satisfying ending. Highly recommend for those looking for a genuine, hard-earned romance with legit spice
The dynamic between the leads is 110% adorable. Miles is a drool-worthy, big muscle daddy, but he is brutally unaware. His inability to read a room is crazy, which just makes him cuter. Charlie is an adorkable twink who spends a good amount of time in tights, which definitely leaves the imagination focused exactly where it should be regarding his package snugly hanging there. Their banter is top-tier (you had me at "assface douchnoggin"), and I love how they relentlessly tease each other.
If you like slow burns, strap in. I’m talking about feeling like you’re locked in a chastity belt for 60% of the book. There is so much "sexiest sex hair" with zero actual sex. I spent half the time screaming at the pages for them to just bang already.
But when the heat finally hits? It is dialed straight to 100.
After all that narrative edging, the release is a massive payoff. The highly descriptive spicy scenes feel incredibly well-deserved, and most importantly, it feels authentic to actual men.
We get fantastic frotting representation (which is incredibly hot, low-maintenance, and realistic). We get a muscle bottom, which is always a huge win. And thank god, there is absolutely no spontaneous anal without douching first. The author clearly did the research to make the mechanics legit.
I do have a few minor gripes. Logistically, cum straight down the drain just isn't practical. Also, the word "panty" was used, which immediately gave me SpongeBob Panty Raid flashbacks not my favorite, but just a personal preference. And while we love consent kings, they do spend almost too much time checking in on each other during the act.
Ultimately, if you can survive the agonizingly fluffy wait to get there, this is a massive feel-good story with a highly satisfying ending. Highly recommend for those looking for a genuine, hard-earned romance with legit spice
March 19, 2026
♾️⭐️
CHARLIE & MYLES😍
Oh boy, where do I even begin with this one?
It’s very rare for me to call out a five star book early on, like I probably could count on one hand how many times I’ve done that, but I was wrong, it deserves so much more than then just five stars. Charlie Lancaster had me hooked on the first page. I was instantly intrigued by him and by the end of chapter 1, I was hooked. He’s just so pure, just so good inside that I don’t know how you could not fall in love with him. He’s got such a big heart, he’s compassionate and kind, he makes the perfect teacher to mold kids into what a good human can be, you just have to ask his students and they’ll tell you how much they love, Mr. Lancaster. Let’s talk about his attire because Charlie is always impeccably dressed in his everyday life, but what he wears underneath those carefully curated outfits… well I guess you’re just gonna have to read it to find out 🤭 Myle, Myles, Myles I was mad at you for a bit for hurting my Charlie. And yes, I mean my Charlie! I already told Lucia that I was claiming him as mine and sorry for the loss 😂. I got over it pretty quickly tho. I mean the flannel with rolled up sleeves and the tight jeans might’ve helped a little bit.😏 This guy has traveled to the far corners of the world, seeing the most exotic places, but where he thrive the best? Is his job as the detention monitor helping lost kids like he once was. When he says he wants Charlie in his life in any capacity that he can, he’s going to melt your heart in the way he shows it. He also loooves what Charlie has under those outfits 😏I can’t end this review without shouting out Charlie’s furry little extension of his heart, Cyril 🐈⬛! I hope I’ve convinced you to check this one out, I think I you’ll fall in love with them just as much as I did!
CHARLIE & MYLES😍
Oh boy, where do I even begin with this one?
It’s very rare for me to call out a five star book early on, like I probably could count on one hand how many times I’ve done that, but I was wrong, it deserves so much more than then just five stars. Charlie Lancaster had me hooked on the first page. I was instantly intrigued by him and by the end of chapter 1, I was hooked. He’s just so pure, just so good inside that I don’t know how you could not fall in love with him. He’s got such a big heart, he’s compassionate and kind, he makes the perfect teacher to mold kids into what a good human can be, you just have to ask his students and they’ll tell you how much they love, Mr. Lancaster. Let’s talk about his attire because Charlie is always impeccably dressed in his everyday life, but what he wears underneath those carefully curated outfits… well I guess you’re just gonna have to read it to find out 🤭 Myle, Myles, Myles I was mad at you for a bit for hurting my Charlie. And yes, I mean my Charlie! I already told Lucia that I was claiming him as mine and sorry for the loss 😂. I got over it pretty quickly tho. I mean the flannel with rolled up sleeves and the tight jeans might’ve helped a little bit.😏 This guy has traveled to the far corners of the world, seeing the most exotic places, but where he thrive the best? Is his job as the detention monitor helping lost kids like he once was. When he says he wants Charlie in his life in any capacity that he can, he’s going to melt your heart in the way he shows it. He also loooves what Charlie has under those outfits 😏I can’t end this review without shouting out Charlie’s furry little extension of his heart, Cyril 🐈⬛! I hope I’ve convinced you to check this one out, I think I you’ll fall in love with them just as much as I did!
March 11, 2026
🏠 The kind of home you never want to leave
📖 ARC Review: Color of Home (The Color of Us, Book 2) by Lucia Laurence
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Vibe:
Consider this a Lucia Laurence Appreciation Post. Her writing is witty, charming, and so effortlessly sweet that I found myself resenting anything (and anyone... sorry to my coworkers! 🙃) that tried to pull my focus away from the screen. In nearly 500 pages, she builds a level of yearning that actually spills off the page and onto the reader. You don’t just read this book; you ache with it.
The Breakdown:
* The "It's Always Been You" Trope: I absolutely love the feeling that two people are truly meant to be. Charlie and Myles felt like dear friends I was watching fall in love. Lucia leaves space for the reader to actually care about their happiness, writing their inner voices as if they’re speaking directly to you. You aren't just a spectator; you are deeply invested in their happiness.
* The Perfect Tension: There’s just enough angst and uncertainty to create real tension. It’s never overbearing or melodramatic—it’s just enough to keep your eyes trained to the page and your heart slightly squeezed. You’re sucked in and left breathless, knowing the HEA is coming but needing to see every step of how it comes together.
* The Emotional Workout: This book made me emote in every way possible: wistful sighs, knowing smiles, mischievous grins, scowls, growls, and pouts. It’s filled with all the good things that make our hearts ache and swell.
The Verdict:
This is why we love romance. It’s a breathtaking, easy read that reminds you exactly what it feels like to find home in another person. If you love romance the way that I love romance, you need this book.
📖 ARC Review: Color of Home (The Color of Us, Book 2) by Lucia Laurence
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Vibe:
Consider this a Lucia Laurence Appreciation Post. Her writing is witty, charming, and so effortlessly sweet that I found myself resenting anything (and anyone... sorry to my coworkers! 🙃) that tried to pull my focus away from the screen. In nearly 500 pages, she builds a level of yearning that actually spills off the page and onto the reader. You don’t just read this book; you ache with it.
The Breakdown:
* The "It's Always Been You" Trope: I absolutely love the feeling that two people are truly meant to be. Charlie and Myles felt like dear friends I was watching fall in love. Lucia leaves space for the reader to actually care about their happiness, writing their inner voices as if they’re speaking directly to you. You aren't just a spectator; you are deeply invested in their happiness.
* The Perfect Tension: There’s just enough angst and uncertainty to create real tension. It’s never overbearing or melodramatic—it’s just enough to keep your eyes trained to the page and your heart slightly squeezed. You’re sucked in and left breathless, knowing the HEA is coming but needing to see every step of how it comes together.
* The Emotional Workout: This book made me emote in every way possible: wistful sighs, knowing smiles, mischievous grins, scowls, growls, and pouts. It’s filled with all the good things that make our hearts ache and swell.
The Verdict:
This is why we love romance. It’s a breathtaking, easy read that reminds you exactly what it feels like to find home in another person. If you love romance the way that I love romance, you need this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a very lovely read about two Highschool best friends who are soulmates from their young age on when they only were best friends.
Charlie - he is sweet, cute, adorable, and loves doing yoga - in very tight pants and small crop tops (very hard for Myles!) He also is a bit femme, wears lace panties and gives totally top-caring- vibes. Charlie knew early on that he was in Love with Myles… and ever will be!
Myles - had a very rough childhood and could only be himself around Charlie… but when they were kids there was so
much going on that Myles wasn’t able to figure himself out or stand true to himself.
So when Charlie had to move they got estranged because Myles cut him out of his life… that part was so sad… to see how devastated Myles was about his actions over a decade later… it got to me! Charlie forgives him though!
Myles bi- awakening and how he immediately was drawn to Charlie again was adorable. It was a lot of fun to hear Myles inner monologue about how he thinks Charlie is “pretty” and “adorable”. Yap! Right there with him… and when Charlie calls him “Baby”… I was a goner!
I love when they use endearments.
They are ridiculously cute together. They know each other in and out 😉 and know exactly what the other one feels … and they can’t keep their hands off of each other. They want to touch, kiss, cuddle and …. all the time.
Very 🔥 After a looong slow burn they so deserve their HEA.
Charlie - he is sweet, cute, adorable, and loves doing yoga - in very tight pants and small crop tops (very hard for Myles!) He also is a bit femme, wears lace panties and gives totally top-caring- vibes. Charlie knew early on that he was in Love with Myles… and ever will be!
Myles - had a very rough childhood and could only be himself around Charlie… but when they were kids there was so
much going on that Myles wasn’t able to figure himself out or stand true to himself.
So when Charlie had to move they got estranged because Myles cut him out of his life… that part was so sad… to see how devastated Myles was about his actions over a decade later… it got to me! Charlie forgives him though!
Myles bi- awakening and how he immediately was drawn to Charlie again was adorable. It was a lot of fun to hear Myles inner monologue about how he thinks Charlie is “pretty” and “adorable”. Yap! Right there with him… and when Charlie calls him “Baby”… I was a goner!
I love when they use endearments.
They are ridiculously cute together. They know each other in and out 😉 and know exactly what the other one feels … and they can’t keep their hands off of each other. They want to touch, kiss, cuddle and …. all the time.
Very 🔥 After a looong slow burn they so deserve their HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my goodness, this book! I started crying in chapter 1, was able to pull myself together, only to start crying in chapter 3. Then I had to set my kindle down and take a break because I knew I was gonna need time.
Charlie and Myles are PRECIOUS. I fell in love with them immediately! Charlie is such a sweet soul. The relationship he has with Gemma and then the way he just loves Myles. He was willing to just be friends because of how much he loves Myles. And Myles, sweet baby Myles, I adore him. He’s definitely my favorite. My heart just hurt for him. He dealt with so much from his dad and those expectations. As someone who is demi as well, coming into that and realizing that you’re not broken is so world changing.
This was such a sweet, sweet slow burn! I loved watching their relationship evolve so effortlessly. Some miscommunication which is probably my least favorite trope, but Myles had my heart in season 2 and no amount of miscommunication would’ve changed that.
Poor Lucia, probably received one too many messages while I was reading. Also, getting to see Tristian and Jesse again, even brief was so fun! I loved that. And Todd…oh Todd…I cannot wait to hear your story.
Charlie and Myles are PRECIOUS. I fell in love with them immediately! Charlie is such a sweet soul. The relationship he has with Gemma and then the way he just loves Myles. He was willing to just be friends because of how much he loves Myles. And Myles, sweet baby Myles, I adore him. He’s definitely my favorite. My heart just hurt for him. He dealt with so much from his dad and those expectations. As someone who is demi as well, coming into that and realizing that you’re not broken is so world changing.
This was such a sweet, sweet slow burn! I loved watching their relationship evolve so effortlessly. Some miscommunication which is probably my least favorite trope, but Myles had my heart in season 2 and no amount of miscommunication would’ve changed that.
Poor Lucia, probably received one too many messages while I was reading. Also, getting to see Tristian and Jesse again, even brief was so fun! I loved that. And Todd…oh Todd…I cannot wait to hear your story.
April 16, 2026
This book came highly recommended to me, so I went in with pretty high expectations—especially since I love both the friends-to-lovers and second chance tropes. I really thought this one would be a hit for me, but unfortunately it didn’t fully land the way I’d hoped.
For me, the pacing felt a bit slow at times (also-this book is over 500 pages!), and I found myself wishing for a little more tension or a stronger overarching plot to keep me fully engaged. The story leans heavily into the relationship itself, which will definitely work for some readers, but I personally needed a bit more conflict or emotional depth to stay invested throughout the length of this book.
That said, Myles and Charlie were incredibly sweet together. Their connection felt genuine, and I really loved the way Charlie supported Myles as he came to better understand himself and his sexuality—it was handled in such a tender, thoughtful way. They truly felt like soulmates, and seeing them reach their HEA was really heartwarming.
Overall, this is very much a feel-good read. If you’re in the mood for a soft, low-angst romance that’s all about the love story and good vibes, this will likely be right up your alley.
For me, the pacing felt a bit slow at times (also-this book is over 500 pages!), and I found myself wishing for a little more tension or a stronger overarching plot to keep me fully engaged. The story leans heavily into the relationship itself, which will definitely work for some readers, but I personally needed a bit more conflict or emotional depth to stay invested throughout the length of this book.
That said, Myles and Charlie were incredibly sweet together. Their connection felt genuine, and I really loved the way Charlie supported Myles as he came to better understand himself and his sexuality—it was handled in such a tender, thoughtful way. They truly felt like soulmates, and seeing them reach their HEA was really heartwarming.
Overall, this is very much a feel-good read. If you’re in the mood for a soft, low-angst romance that’s all about the love story and good vibes, this will likely be right up your alley.
February 21, 2026
As soon as I saw the list of tropes (including bi-awakening, lingerie, and fem vers top/masc vers bottom) I knew I had to read this one. I signed up for the arc immediately. So happy to have been able to get to read this and be part of the arc reviews for it.
When I tell you I loved Charlie, I mean I LOOOOOOOOOOVED Charlie. He is the most precious, pure (only in a loving and sweet way…he has plenty of not pure moments with Myles 😈), and just lovable character. I adored him so much.
Myles. I wanted to just hug him. He had a rough go of so many things. And I’m so glad he got the happy ending he 100% deserved. He wasn’t perfect, and he knew that. But he did everything to try and be better. For himself and for Charlie. That alone made me love him.
They were so perfect for each other. Their path wasn’t easy, but I think it happened the way it needed to for Myles to be able to understand what he really felt for Charlie.
And the spice! Sheesh! All the tension! So good!
The lingerie and Myles being absolutely into it. I was heeeeere for it!
Also, as someone who just lost their senior pet a few months ago (17.5 year old dog I’d had since he was 3 mos old)….I wanted to say thank you to the author for how you handled the loss of Cyril in the story. I was bawling but because I truly understood the love Charlie had for him and how special their relationship was. ❤️
When I tell you I loved Charlie, I mean I LOOOOOOOOOOVED Charlie. He is the most precious, pure (only in a loving and sweet way…he has plenty of not pure moments with Myles 😈), and just lovable character. I adored him so much.
Myles. I wanted to just hug him. He had a rough go of so many things. And I’m so glad he got the happy ending he 100% deserved. He wasn’t perfect, and he knew that. But he did everything to try and be better. For himself and for Charlie. That alone made me love him.
They were so perfect for each other. Their path wasn’t easy, but I think it happened the way it needed to for Myles to be able to understand what he really felt for Charlie.
And the spice! Sheesh! All the tension! So good!
The lingerie and Myles being absolutely into it. I was heeeeere for it!
Also, as someone who just lost their senior pet a few months ago (17.5 year old dog I’d had since he was 3 mos old)….I wanted to say thank you to the author for how you handled the loss of Cyril in the story. I was bawling but because I truly understood the love Charlie had for him and how special their relationship was. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2026
I’m absolutely swooning over Charlie and Myles 😍
Charlie has been in love with Myles for as long as he can remember—his first crush, his best friend, the one person he never truly got over… even after ten years apart. Coming back to Riverside was never supposed to mean facing him again, and yet when they do reunite, it’s awkward, emotional, and filled with everything left unsaid.
What follows is the softest, slowest burn as their friendship begins to rebuild. The history between them, the mutual pining, the quiet longing—it all felt so real and tender. And watching Myles start to question his sexuality and open himself up to something more with Charlie? It was handled so thoughtfully and beautifully.
This story is low angst but full of feeling. Sweet, heartfelt, and deeply emotional in that gentle, lingering way that just stays with you. I was rooting for them the entire time, and seeing their connection grow into something more felt so earned and satisfying.
If you love second chances, childhood best friends to lovers, and that soft, aching kind of romance with a guaranteed HEA—this one will absolutely steal your heart.
Charlie has been in love with Myles for as long as he can remember—his first crush, his best friend, the one person he never truly got over… even after ten years apart. Coming back to Riverside was never supposed to mean facing him again, and yet when they do reunite, it’s awkward, emotional, and filled with everything left unsaid.
What follows is the softest, slowest burn as their friendship begins to rebuild. The history between them, the mutual pining, the quiet longing—it all felt so real and tender. And watching Myles start to question his sexuality and open himself up to something more with Charlie? It was handled so thoughtfully and beautifully.
This story is low angst but full of feeling. Sweet, heartfelt, and deeply emotional in that gentle, lingering way that just stays with you. I was rooting for them the entire time, and seeing their connection grow into something more felt so earned and satisfying.
If you love second chances, childhood best friends to lovers, and that soft, aching kind of romance with a guaranteed HEA—this one will absolutely steal your heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I receive this beautiful Arc of Color of home by Lucia Laurence. If you haven’t read Color of Sunshine ☀️ I suggest you do. It does not have to be read in order.
Charlie the most Sweetest boy at 15 years old giving his best friend the most precious gift as he was moving away to lose contact with him for 10 and Half years. Ohmigod!! Charlie’s Heart is set on one person all the yearning and pinning. He had me laughing with his giddiness.
Myles how my heart hurt when he was crying on a log by the river when his best friend moved away. Ugh his dad truly pisses me off! Charlie and Myles reconnect 10 & 1/2 years later. No spoilers just giving you a glimpse. When I tell you I swooned so dam hard my heart melted into a puddle of goo! Yes this has the most beautiful HEA ever.
What to expect -
Estranged childhood best friends
to lovers
ALLLL the pining and yearning High heat/slooooww burn (until
it's not slow anymore
Bi awakening
Demi MC
Show me what to do
Femme verse top
Masc verse bottom
Lingerie
Only one bed
Workplace romance
Small town
Cat dad
Dual 1st person POV
Charlie the most Sweetest boy at 15 years old giving his best friend the most precious gift as he was moving away to lose contact with him for 10 and Half years. Ohmigod!! Charlie’s Heart is set on one person all the yearning and pinning. He had me laughing with his giddiness.
Myles how my heart hurt when he was crying on a log by the river when his best friend moved away. Ugh his dad truly pisses me off! Charlie and Myles reconnect 10 & 1/2 years later. No spoilers just giving you a glimpse. When I tell you I swooned so dam hard my heart melted into a puddle of goo! Yes this has the most beautiful HEA ever.
What to expect -
Estranged childhood best friends
to lovers
ALLLL the pining and yearning High heat/slooooww burn (until
it's not slow anymore
Bi awakening
Demi MC
Show me what to do
Femme verse top
Masc verse bottom
Lingerie
Only one bed
Workplace romance
Small town
Cat dad
Dual 1st person POV
March 7, 2026
Second in series (Colors of Us), but can be read as a standalone. Small town. Former childhood best friends. Demisexual representation. Slow burn. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.
Charlie has never gotten over his first love, and has missed his former best friend every day for the last ten years. Now Charlie is back in the small town where Myles grew up, and Myles takes a chance Charlie will forgive him and allow them to become close again.
This book is full of yearning and a kind of love that never fades. It was beautiful to see Myles learn and examine his feelings for Charlie as they were in the past and how being paired with attraction made the depth of his attachment stronger. As Charlie and Myles build their friendship again, everything is slow and low angst as eventually they begin a possibly limited time physical relationship that is incredibly steamy. Both men are deeply in love with the other and the way this story is written allows the reader to believe and experience the truth and the assuredness of their HEA. 4.5 rounded up
Charlie has never gotten over his first love, and has missed his former best friend every day for the last ten years. Now Charlie is back in the small town where Myles grew up, and Myles takes a chance Charlie will forgive him and allow them to become close again.
This book is full of yearning and a kind of love that never fades. It was beautiful to see Myles learn and examine his feelings for Charlie as they were in the past and how being paired with attraction made the depth of his attachment stronger. As Charlie and Myles build their friendship again, everything is slow and low angst as eventually they begin a possibly limited time physical relationship that is incredibly steamy. Both men are deeply in love with the other and the way this story is written allows the reader to believe and experience the truth and the assuredness of their HEA. 4.5 rounded up
Review of advance copy received from Author
Color of Home is a sweet estranged friends-to-lovers romance with exciting tropes such as lingerie, make-up, and demi rep. The MCs are genuine and open. Charlie is a great character, wearing crop tops, yoga pants and occasionally make-up. He's comfortable enough in his skin to be unapologetically himself, which I like about him. For emotional support, he has a cat and a wonderful girl bestie who's also queer. Charlie has been in love with his former best friend, Myles, his entire life, and nobody else comes close to what he feels for him, even when they are apart for a decade. In the story, Myles is going through some struggles and self-discovery, but throughout all that, he adores everything about Charlie. He loves the surprises Charlie gives him...and so do I.
With its satisfying ending, this is a recommended read for people who love low-angst, slow burn romances between estranged friends who spent a large part of their lives missing each other and who are absolutely made for each other.
With its satisfying ending, this is a recommended read for people who love low-angst, slow burn romances between estranged friends who spent a large part of their lives missing each other and who are absolutely made for each other.
March 10, 2026
4.5 stars
This was my first book from this author. I really enjoy their writing style. It's fun, engaging and easy to read and follow.
After a decade away, school teacher, Charlie returns to the tiny wilderness town of Riverside, where he spent 4 years of his youth.
Myles was Charlie's best friend from the moment he moved in town all those years ago.
They haven't spoken since. Now they are forced to work adjacent to each other, not quite understanding what the other is thinking or feeling.
Myles is demisexual, aromatic and straight, although he's not so sure about being straight since Charlie came back into his life. He's confused and a bit out of sorts about his new reactions to Charlie. It was really sweet watching them reconnect and discover the depth of their feelings.
Slowly they reconnect after a decade, learning who they've both become since their high school days. Together they find forgiveness for mistakes made as teenagers.
I really enjoyed this small town friends to strangers to friends to lovers story.
This was my first book from this author. I really enjoy their writing style. It's fun, engaging and easy to read and follow.
After a decade away, school teacher, Charlie returns to the tiny wilderness town of Riverside, where he spent 4 years of his youth.
Myles was Charlie's best friend from the moment he moved in town all those years ago.
They haven't spoken since. Now they are forced to work adjacent to each other, not quite understanding what the other is thinking or feeling.
Myles is demisexual, aromatic and straight, although he's not so sure about being straight since Charlie came back into his life. He's confused and a bit out of sorts about his new reactions to Charlie. It was really sweet watching them reconnect and discover the depth of their feelings.
Slowly they reconnect after a decade, learning who they've both become since their high school days. Together they find forgiveness for mistakes made as teenagers.
I really enjoyed this small town friends to strangers to friends to lovers story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
How can a book be so wholesome? This book was green flags galore between 2 boys who had completely different childhoods but connected in a way that changed their lives. Myles and Charlie were stunning. The slow burn was done to perfection, ugh, the build up and anticipation and the yearning! I loved the flashback scenes, and the emotion behind was intense but beautiful. It was angsty per se but it was gripping and I just wanted more and more! It was a super sweet, cosy, small-town romance (but do check the triggers, as there are some upsetting scenes).
I loved the side characters, and Gemma is the ultimate ride-or-die friend/cousin which I always love when reading, plus I look forward to reading the next books in the series and I'll definitely be checking out the first book too!
Anywaay, I thoroughly enjoyed this utterly gorgeous book. Thank you so much for trusting me to read your book, it was a stunner!
I loved the side characters, and Gemma is the ultimate ride-or-die friend/cousin which I always love when reading, plus I look forward to reading the next books in the series and I'll definitely be checking out the first book too!
Anywaay, I thoroughly enjoyed this utterly gorgeous book. Thank you so much for trusting me to read your book, it was a stunner!
February 25, 2026
This was so cute!! I loved Myles and Charlie, their connection was evident from the start. From the moment Myles pulled up to Charlie’s house there was a comfort and pull between them and it showed in the way they interacted with one another. Although there was hurt between them they were still able to talk in a way that was new yet familiar to them.
Their relationship development was sweet. I enjoyed that they took the time to talk and get to know each other again after so much time apart. As much as I wanted to see Charlie get his dream guy I did think it was important that Myles learned who he was and understood himself before that happened.
I really liked getting glimpses of there past so we could see not only their history together but some of what made Myles the way he was and how he saw the world at that time in comparison to Charlie. This was a great read I’m excited for what’s next.
💚ARC REVIEW🖤
Their relationship development was sweet. I enjoyed that they took the time to talk and get to know each other again after so much time apart. As much as I wanted to see Charlie get his dream guy I did think it was important that Myles learned who he was and understood himself before that happened.
I really liked getting glimpses of there past so we could see not only their history together but some of what made Myles the way he was and how he saw the world at that time in comparison to Charlie. This was a great read I’m excited for what’s next.
💚ARC REVIEW🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Color of Home is the second book in the series Colors of Us.
I don't know how to explain the emotional impact of this book. It broke me and then put me back together again.
Charlie and Myles were friends in their teens, until their friendship broke down for two reasons: Charlie left town and because of Myles (well, because of his father). Charlie fell in love with Myles at that moment, but Myles, influenced by his father's ideas (check out the TW, please), ghosted him.
Charlie and Myles return to town at the same time, Charlie because he gets a job teaching at the high school and Myles because his father dies and he wants to fix up and sell the house. Their first encounter leaves them breathless, because Charlie is still in love with Myles and Myles is overcome with guilt.
It's a slow burn, until it's not.
Each has a way of processing their feelings or denying them, especially when they feel external pressure.
I loved it.
I don't know how to explain the emotional impact of this book. It broke me and then put me back together again.
Charlie and Myles were friends in their teens, until their friendship broke down for two reasons: Charlie left town and because of Myles (well, because of his father). Charlie fell in love with Myles at that moment, but Myles, influenced by his father's ideas (check out the TW, please), ghosted him.
Charlie and Myles return to town at the same time, Charlie because he gets a job teaching at the high school and Myles because his father dies and he wants to fix up and sell the house. Their first encounter leaves them breathless, because Charlie is still in love with Myles and Myles is overcome with guilt.
It's a slow burn, until it's not.
Each has a way of processing their feelings or denying them, especially when they feel external pressure.
I loved it.
March 10, 2026
*arc review*
4.5/⭐️
2.5/🌶️
When I first received this arc in my kindle I was excited, but also a littler hesitant cause in kindle pages it was close to 500 pages and that always puts me on edge, like especially with authors I’ve never read… however that was quickly thrown out the window.
I was quickly sucked in by the narratives of Charlie and Myles. Two very different characters with different personalities that both shown through on their own. From their past memories to their current rebuilding of their friendship, you could feel all the emotions from both POVs and wanted to hug them both for different reasons.
Myles working through what he was really feeling and accepting what’s going on, but accepted that he’s been wrong all along and also asked for help?? God the way I love a mature man.
I loved Charlie and Myles story so much. It was a brother fresh air because there was no real drama or angst. Just two men finding their way back to one another after years
4.5/⭐️
2.5/🌶️
When I first received this arc in my kindle I was excited, but also a littler hesitant cause in kindle pages it was close to 500 pages and that always puts me on edge, like especially with authors I’ve never read… however that was quickly thrown out the window.
I was quickly sucked in by the narratives of Charlie and Myles. Two very different characters with different personalities that both shown through on their own. From their past memories to their current rebuilding of their friendship, you could feel all the emotions from both POVs and wanted to hug them both for different reasons.
Myles working through what he was really feeling and accepting what’s going on, but accepted that he’s been wrong all along and also asked for help?? God the way I love a mature man.
I loved Charlie and Myles story so much. It was a brother fresh air because there was no real drama or angst. Just two men finding their way back to one another after years
March 10, 2026
A beautiful former best friends to lovers books.
When best friends Myles & Charlie are seperated cause charlie is moving away with his parents.
He’s been secretly in love with hi best friend Charlie since forever but he doesn’t want to admit it.
When they leave and Charlie forgets to give Myles his going away present he leaves it with Myles’s dad, cause Myles isn’t home…
From then on Charlie never hears anything anymore from Myles, no texts, no phone’s. No letters…
But why??
Charlie is left behind with this feeling like maybe he did something wrlong.
Untill 10 years later they meet again at the school they both work. They need to talk.
And Charlie never got over his feelings for Myles…
This is a beautiful - best friends to lovers - slow burn love story!
I loved the smooth writing style from Lucia and the characters were so well developed.
The demi - aro spectrum is also nice to see.
These two are super cute together and i loved this book!
When best friends Myles & Charlie are seperated cause charlie is moving away with his parents.
He’s been secretly in love with hi best friend Charlie since forever but he doesn’t want to admit it.
When they leave and Charlie forgets to give Myles his going away present he leaves it with Myles’s dad, cause Myles isn’t home…
From then on Charlie never hears anything anymore from Myles, no texts, no phone’s. No letters…
But why??
Charlie is left behind with this feeling like maybe he did something wrlong.
Untill 10 years later they meet again at the school they both work. They need to talk.
And Charlie never got over his feelings for Myles…
This is a beautiful - best friends to lovers - slow burn love story!
I loved the smooth writing style from Lucia and the characters were so well developed.
The demi - aro spectrum is also nice to see.
These two are super cute together and i loved this book!
March 12, 2026
Color of Home is a beautifully tender second-chance romance that hits all the right emotional notes. Charlie and Myles share a deep history, having been childhood best friends whose bond fell apart under misunderstandings and distance. Returning to Riverside years later, they are forced to confront the past while navigating the slow burn of their rekindled connection.
The story shines in its focus on growth and healing. Charlie’s unwavering love and patience contrast with Myles’s guilt and self-discovery, making their journey to trust and understanding feel authentic. The small-town setting adds warmth, and the careful pacing lets their bond develop naturally, so when the romance fully blooms, it’s completely earned.
This is a heartfelt, emotional read about forgiveness, personal growth, and finding your way back to someone who always felt like home. It’s slow, sweet, and deeply satisfying.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
The story shines in its focus on growth and healing. Charlie’s unwavering love and patience contrast with Myles’s guilt and self-discovery, making their journey to trust and understanding feel authentic. The small-town setting adds warmth, and the careful pacing lets their bond develop naturally, so when the romance fully blooms, it’s completely earned.
This is a heartfelt, emotional read about forgiveness, personal growth, and finding your way back to someone who always felt like home. It’s slow, sweet, and deeply satisfying.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Color of Home and, much like when I read Color of Sunshine, I DEVOURED it. I absolutely adore Myles and Charlie! I think my favorite part is the sllllooow burn in their physical relationship- our author really loves to edge these characters (and her readers)! 😆 But the anticipation just makes it that much better. I adored their confessions of love for one another and I enjoyed the little cameo of Tristan and Jesse (love those two- if I’m honest, I kind of wanted even more interaction between them and our MMCs)! Despite the fact that these two have yearned and longed for each other for years, most of the yearning occurs off the page, leading to what I felt was a low angst, sweet and spicy story of best friends to strangers to lovers. Looking forward to the next two stories in the series (totally called the next MMC when he popped up in this one)!
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